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Webster 1913 Edition


Defendant

De-fend′ant

(dē̍-fĕnd′ant)
,
Adj.
[F.
défendant
, p. pr. of
défendre
. See
Defend
.]
1.
Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive.
[Obs.]
With men of courage and with means
defendant
.
Shakespeare
2.
Making defense.

De-fend′ant

,
Noun.
1.
One who defends; a defender.
The rampiers and ditches which the
defendants
had cast up.
Spotswood.
2.
(Law)
A person required to make answer in an action or suit; – opposed to plaintiff.
Abbott.
☞ The term is applied to any party of whom a demand is made in court, whether the party denies and defends the claim, or admits it, and suffers a default; also to a party charged with a criminal offense.

Webster 1828 Edition


Defendant

DEFENDANT

,
Adj.
1.
Defensive; proper for defense.
2.
Making defense; being in the character of a defendant.

DEFENDANT

,
Noun.
1.
He that defends against an assailant, or against the approach of evil or danger.
2.
In law, the party that opposes a complaint, demand or charge; he that is summoned into court, and defends, denies or opposes the demand or charge, and maintains his own right. It is applied to any party of whom a demand is made in court, whether the party denies and defends, or admits the claim and suffers a default.

Definition 2024


défendant

défendant

See also: defendant

French

Verb

défendant

  1. present participle of défendre